It could be awkward or uncomfortable to correct someone giving a blessing. But Elder Renlund had the perfect response.

Elder James O. Mason, 89 — the former head of the U.S. Public Health Service who also served for five years as a General Authority Seventy for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019.

Editor's note: This story was originally published by LDS Living in April 2020 and is being shared again in anticipation of October 2020 general conference. Here's how you can watch.

Recently, I experimented with diving a little deeper into the Book of Mormon, reading, experiencing, and examining it in an entirely new way—through text analysis.

The new movie highlighting the relationship between black convert Jane Manning James and Emma Smith, wife of the Prophet Joseph Smith, comes out in only a few short days (click here for more information on where you can watch it starting October 12, 2018!). The story truly lets you see these two women in Church history with all their flaws and strengths as you watch them grapple with the nuances of their faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ and their love for the martyred prophet during a fictionalized account of a night spent guarding Joseph Smith’s body after his death. While the night itself is not found in the history records, the emotions, stories of Jane and Emma’s previous interactions, people, and much of the dialogue comes straight from accounts left behind by those who lived early Church history, brought to life in the poetic, visual world of film. Here are a few of the true facts from Church history that you will find in Jane and Emma.

As we begin to learn more of selected religions of the world, we should remember that every person who has ever lived on this earth was and is a child of God. God loves each child and knows what each needs in his or her earthly experiences to bring them back to Him. He has given each, along with agency, the guidance he or she needs through scripture and inspiration.

“Some [patriarchs] may see the words ... and some may hear them. Others may just have impressions and feelings as to what they should say.”

Editor’s note: Most of us are familiar with the story of the First Vision. Some might even have the account from Joseph Smith—History memorized. But that account is not the only time Joseph Smith shared his miraculous experience. Using nine different accounts, Muhlestein shares one harmonized story of the First Vision, including what led up to it and what Joseph learned from it, in his new book, I Saw the Lord. This excerpt offers an idea of what it might have been like for Joseph to have overwhelming, hopeless darkness dissipated by intense light as he first saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

After Michael threw a chair in frustration, Steve knew his approach to this delicate conversation had to change.

The thought of creating a holier home may seem daunting, but don’t let that deter you. Here are three actionable ideas that can help you get going.